RESEARCHERS will start a free nutrition and lifestyle advice program for plus-sized mothers and their babies in the cities of Joondalup and Wanneroo from July.

Blooming Together Mums and Bubs is a monthly group where mums and their babies from three months old can meet with health professionals to receive expert nutrition and lifestyle advice for mothers, baby and family.

Researchers from the Telethon Kids Institute are currently recruiting for the program, which has already undergone a trial in the southern suburbs.

Port Kennedy resident Jayme Edwards and her daughter Kaylee, who will turn one on June 15, participated in the Rockingham trial after her doctor asked if she was interested in learning more about lifestyle and diet.

“Being a mum, there’s so much information coming from doctors to midwives,” she said.

“Going through pregnancy and post-pregnancy with a newborn, it can be hard and a very confusing time, especially with the amount of information out there.

“This program gives you all the correct information followed by support of professionals and other mums in a similar situation.”

Mrs Edwards said as well as receiving information about healthy lifestyle, the program gave her antenatal checks and monitored Kaylee’s growth.

“There wasn’t a single session where I didn’t feel like I had learnt something new and important about my health or my baby’s health and development, which was a surprise to me considering this was my third child,” she said.

“My husband, my three girls and myself have all had some benefit from the program. All the information I have learnt I have implemented into day-to-day life which has led to my husband losing 19kg and myself losing nearly 25kg post-pregnancy.

“I’ve also made some great new friends from this program and Kaylee has enjoyed playing with some babies her age.”

Doctor Jessica Tearne said the northern suburbs program would have six groups, one starting each month until December.

The groups will meet at the Banksia Grove Community Centre once a month for nine months.

“Everyone comes along at the same time; each group will have 10 (mothers and babies),” she said.